Aker Solutions has opened a new hydropower center at its Tranby Technology Centre in Norway, featuring Northern Europe’s largest vertical millturn machine for hydropower components. The facility, unveiled on November 14, is part of the company’s strategy to enhance its capabilities in renewable energy.
The centerpiece of the new workshop is a Feichter five-axis vertical millturn machine, capable of machining large hydropower components such as turbine runners and covers. With a 12-meter turning diameter, 6-meter table diameter, and a maximum table capacity of 120 tons, the machine is designed to handle some of the largest components required for renewable energy infrastructure. Its five-axis angle head allows for advanced precision work, including milling, boring, and threading.
“Hydropower plays a crucial role in balancing Norway’s energy mix as we move toward a greater share of intermittent energy sources,” said Aker Solutions CEO Kjetel Digre. “Our investment in this advanced hydropower center aligns with our vision to be at the forefront of this transition, providing local production capabilities and reliable services for a key part of the evolving energy landscape.”
The 24,000-square-meter facility consolidates expertise in CNC machining, welding, assembly, and testing. It also features a new production line for surface treatment, including washing, sandblasting, painting, and drying, to process large components efficiently.
The new facility builds on Aker Solutions’ long history in hydropower. “One of our predecessors, Kværner, built its first hydropower turbine more than 150 years ago, and today, Kværner turbines are found in hydropower plants worldwide,” Digre said. “Now, Aker Solutions is taking hydropower technology to the next level.”
In addition to machining, the workshop includes dedicated welding areas for stainless and carbon steel, supporting both robotic and manual welding for components such as turbine runners and valves. The company is also incorporating sustainable practices by reusing steel components from existing hydropower plants, reducing CO₂ emissions compared to using new materials.
The expanded facility will be fully operational by the end of 2024, supporting Norway’s renewable energy transition and bolstering local production capabilities.
